Effect of long-term immersion corrosion on the flexural properties of nitinol

This study suggests that sporadic failure of nitinol orthodontic wire is due to the presence of surface defects generated during manufacturing and not to the effects of corrosion. The flexural properties were evaluated for both control and corroded samples of nitinol wires and were not found to be statistically different. Fractured surfaces of control as well as corroded samples following bending were examined by scanning electron microscopy to determine the mode of failure.